Figure 5. Graphic representation of the effect of absence of IKKα activity on productive transcription induced by E2. After hormone challenge, the transcription complex with ERα assembles on chromatin where the receptor drives demethylation of lysine 9 in histone H3 with consequent production of ROS (in violet). Following phosphorylation of serine 10, addition of methyl-marks to lysine is delayed, giving the DDR mechanisms sufficient time to eliminate the oxidized Gs (in red) in order for transcription to progress safely. Inhibition of IKKα activity increases production of ROS with disproportionate formation of nicks, DNA fragmentation and apoptosis.